there are very few hands raised in the room, because cremation is often shorthand for disappearance. The crematory we use is impeccably run by ethical people, people we inspect, unannounced, a couple times every year. He would have probably had a difficult way of managing some of the changes that we see nowadays. Gillis then forgives Riley, and Riley is satisfied that his family is happy once more. I know it won't matter, it will be others, but do you see yourself as the fire or the earth, or --? The dead matter to the living. For more and more people it's a trip to the crematory and some variation on the wake where people pay different types of witness. Chester A. Riley, a riveter at Stevenson Aircraft in Los Angeles, works hard but is always behind in his bills. Chester A. Riley: Okay, maybe he ain't no Gregory Peck, but my boy's got it up here [points to head] . And yeah, everything plays its part in that. There are days I can get behind that theory and have. Riley is overjoyed by his unexpected "step up," unaware that Babs asked Burt to offer him the job, and that he did so without his father's knowledge. Also, in 1958, it hi I think mine will know what to do, too, not because I've said, "Do this or that," but because they have seen life as I have seen it, and they sort of know me and I know them. The Life of Riley starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. Humiliated, Riley vows to Peg that he will become more successful, and after six weeks of working overtime, he volunteers to host the company's Labor Day beach picnic. Irving Brecher's onscreen credit reads: "Written and directed by Irving Brecher." Brecher then saw William Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach's The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942). Digby 'Digger' O'Dell : Why, I was just taking a stroll around the pond. Digby 'Digger' O'Dell : It is I, Digby O'Dell, the friendly undertaker. They come in to talk about what to do with a child who's grieving because a schoolmate died, to talk about what will happen in the event of their own death, how to handle a dying parent, nursing home arrangements, elder care. Jim Gillis: Sure! I think they used to call that "social death"; that actual death happens like that. And that's unfortunate. The last mention I can find of his exploits came from a 1979 newspaper published in the little town of Phenix City, Alabama, which reported that Digger was performing his 158th burial in the parking lot of Macks Mobile Homes there. [5] Originally, William Bendix was to have appeared on both radio and TV, but Bendix's RKO Radio Pictures movie contract prevented him from appearing on the TV version. If I'm an Italian Catholic or an Orthodox Jew or a Baptist African American, I don't have to wonder what's going to happen, because I know that my community of co-religionists, of ethnic fellows, my neighborhood, whatever, they've organized a plan so that I don't have to spend the first several hours or days or weeks trying to figure out what to do next because it's already been told by tradition, by custom, by culture, by form. Chester A. Riley: What do you think I'm paying you ten cents a week for, to spy on Babs! I found an old newspaper article that said he was born in 1915 and called him a professional endurance man. Among other things, back in the flagpole-sitting days, he stayed aloft 109 days. John Brown, Radio and TV Actor, Dies; Played Digger O'Dell in 'Life of Riley' Give this article May 18, 1957 The New York Times Archives See the article in its original context from May 18, 1957,. To Babs's delight, Jeff, who has just moved in next door with his aunt, is a dedicated pre-med student. interview with the film's producers|credits|privacy policy|journalistic guidelines Though these things werent discussed in the Memphis newspapers of the 1950s or 1960s, later newspapers provided the details that Digger was equipped with a 60-gallon chemical toilet while he was underground, which must have made his living (and breathing) conditions horrible. Digby 'Digger' O'Dell: Why, I was just taking a stroll around the pond. One day, after paying out all but five of his fifty-dollar-a-week paycheck, Riley has to sneak into his house to avoid his landlady, Miss Martha Bogle, to whom he owes money. Chester A. Riley: [on the phone] What is it, a boy or a girl? He's a man who's understood In Brooklyn or in Hollywood. Bareiss, Warren "The Life of Riley" Encyclopedia of Television It's a kind of theater, I suppose. I'll treat her just like she wasn't my wife. We're celebrating love, huh? The second TV series ran for six seasons, from January 2, 1953, to May 23, 1958. At the mobile home park, a local reporter didnt have a very high opinion of the aging stuntman, writing, He has the flushed face and shaking hand of a man who has seen the sun rise over many an empty bottle. Digger showed up at the park wearing only a bathrobe. It is that everything changes and nothing changes. [6][7], The NBC adaptation, also created by Irving Brecher, was a single-season Chester A. Riley: No. Well, I'll kiss you twice tonight. Because of its overwhelming radio popularity, Riley graduated as easily to a 1949 feature film, as it did to 1950s television. I see it all as part of the one journey, all as part of the one pilgrimage. Not to worry, though. He had a new book out about God not being great. Acti-Sol Hen Manure is one popular product that has been used with success by experienced, This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our. For more than 30 years he also has been the director of the Lynch & Sons funeral home in the small town of Milford, Mich. Where is the meaning? Chester A. Riley: I don't have to be fair - I'm your father. Just as all appears lost, Riley learns from Burt that he has been promoted to a high-paying executive position. And they open your mouth. Unreliable advice on how to handle these situations came from Riley's pal Digger O'Dell, the friendly undertaker, who would sneak in a string of dark-humored jokes before he had to be "shoveling off". Chester A. Riley: You know, Peg, I don't know what kind of wife she's gonna mae, but 40 years from now, somebody's gonna have a terrific mother-in-law. She has her picture on the front page. In many ways we represent the place where whatever conversation people want to have about death and dying and grief and bereavement. Rosemary DeCamp (as "Peg Riley"), Lanny Rees (as "Junior Riley") and John Brown (as "Digger O'Dell, the Friendly Undertaker") all reprised their movie roles in the original The Life of Riley (1948) TV series. There is a comfort when you don't have to reinvent that wheel, when we know we have to be at church at a certain time and that these prayers will be said and not those, and that this is accustomed behavior and this is outside the pale, and this is where we go. Whether or not my family is involved with the care of my body, that's their business. He noted that "the grave that he can't escape from" is located in Sawnee View Memorial Gardens, just outside of Cummings, Georgia. The bearing of it is so very, very important. The CBS program starred Lionel Stander as J. Riley Farnsworth and had no real connection with the more famous series that followed a few years later. It gives me room to do either, all along this sort of emotional register. He made the news by being buried alive. The stores are open. Mrs. Abigail Uppington, the wimpy Wallace Wimple and the "friendly undertaker," Digger O'Dell. Paula Winslowe played "Peg" for most of the series' run. started calling him "Digger". Life of Riley won the first Emmy Award (for "Best Film Made For and Shown on Television") with Groucho Marx receiving a credit for the story. In the 19551956 season, the Riley family moved and were given new neighbors portrayed by Florence Sundstrom and George O'Hanlon.[8]. But it's not just my job. If you havent visited this area of the park, you should. However, it came to an end after 26 episodes because Irving Brecher and sponsor Pabst Brewing Company reached an impasse on extending the series for a full 39-week season. I've seen at the end of the day people walking upright away from graves, people walking upright away from fires, as if they were going to survive it. [1] (Marx would get his own series Blue Ribbon Town instead.) Dear Vance:My parents remember a Memphian named Digger ODell who had himself buried alive here sometime in the 1960s as a promotional stunt. Chester A. Riley is back, with long-suffering wife Peg, trouble-prone kids Junior and Babs, moochy pal Gillis, and Digger O'Dell, The Friendly Undertaker in sixteen hilarious half-hour episodes. When Burt finally tells Babs about his financial predicament and suggests that they marry quickly so that Riley can keep his job and he can save his life, Babs reluctantly agrees. But more and more, when we say to them, "You may, and maybe you ought " or, "Maybe someone in your family should be designated, just to go in as your proxy, to say, 'Everything was done as it should be done,'" they do it. But there's no question that cremation has become normative in a way that it used to be exceptional. Well, we wear black for funerals -- people have to know who the directors are, who to ask -- and white shirts and gray ties. They can coexist. It's possible to pay with credit card or Western Union, but PayPal isn't an option. 2 Mar. It's amazing! We'd be wise, as a culture, to examine some of these things. Cullen, Frank, Hackman, Florence and McNeilly, Donald Vaudeville Old & New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America Vol. [in a flashback sequence, Peg has just given birth to her first child]. No word on whether anyone felt like carrying on the family tradition. Babs Riley: Guess what? They'll survive it. [citation needed], In 1948, NBC broadcast "two live television test programs based on the radio series. I see no difference in the machinery it takes to dig a hole [and] the machinery it takes to build a fire. With William Bendix the protagonist, as Riley and among others John Brown, who portrayed the friendly undertaker "Digger" O'Dell. Well, if you ask any group of ordinary citizens, "How many here have attended a cremation?" Peg Riley: You know what they say - ignorance is bliss. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts I never felt better. When my father died, I was not prepared to put him in the ground then. And the things we have to do in that period of two days or three days, that's also largely what you do for us, is that right? Peg Riley: Then I've been in love with you the whole time. Chester A. Riley: You mean I'm going to live? Anyway, I presume the Digger ODell weve been discussing here was eventually buried one final time, and I hope his gravestone wherever it is pays tribute to one of this countrys unique stuntmen. But he said, "When a death occurs, people feel so helpless, it's good to have some of these things already invented." Everything is going on, and here we are. Mar Chester A. Riley: I know what you did! (CONTINUES HUMMING IN BG) ANNOUNCER: Before going, Riley instructs his precocious son Junior to exchange his piggy bank coins into bills and meet him at the restaurant, assuming that Junior's savings combined with his five dollars will be enough to pay for the meal. Many customers have had positive experiences ordering from them, and their customer service has been praised for keeping buyers updated on order status. I like the connection, the sound of the word "process"; it suggests movement, a pilgrimage. What we have missed, however, in cremation in this culture is all the powerful metaphoric values provided by fire, its elemental worth. Dear j.b.: Well, for starters I can tell you that this interesting fellow (and Im certainly not disputing that) was not a Memphian, and his name wasnt really Digger ODell. And it works; it does work. Do you hear that, Peg? Dr. Beamish: Not now, I'm afraid. He first started doing various stunts in 1932, a time when people were trying to make crazy money with dancing marathons, flagpole sitting, and other endurance feats. 461. Chester A. Riley: Why should an old man married for years run away with a pretty blond? His frequent exclamation of indignation became one of the most famous catch phrases of the 1940s: "What a revoltin' development this is!" The radio series greatly benefited from the immense popularity of a supporting character, Digby "Digger" O'Dell (John Brown), "the friendly undertaker." Though other friends may fail you, I shall be the last to let you down.". He liked the idea that the culture had sort of organized these wheels, in some way liturgically, in some ways socially. I just gave him a sedative. Peg Riley: Every day this week, he's been kept in after school. Quotes.net. Question #48486. When Riley learns that the couple is to spend their honeymoon in separate rooms, he becomes suspicious. Did you hear me? Jim Gillis: They put you to sleep. Do you hear that, Peg? Everything seems to fall into place. Peg Riley: My father let me decide who I wanted to go around with. The show was canceled after its first season, but was revived in 1953, then ran on the NBC network until August 1958. This character was extremelly successfull, with many puns based on his profession. Asked by yeaux. None of us knew what reference was being made here.In grade five very few people here NL (Canada) were familiar with American radio.When the "Life Of Reilly" came to TV my appreciation of "Digger" was finally launched. His real name, it seems, was Herbert O'Dell Smith. William Bendix and Digger O'Dell the friendly undertaker - The Life of Riley Complete Broadcast CBS Lux Radio Theatre 1950 (Lp) - Amazon.com Music Buy used: $198.00 $3.99 delivery January 26 - February 2. The open casket, it is something that's often mocked. 461. 2023. When he heard the sad news about his wife, said a newspaper, Diggers own heart broke like a clod of dirt. I know his nickname was Digger, but thats just mean. The Life of Riley, 1944 to 1951. Jim Gillis: So by her leavin', I'm getting away without goin' out of the house. Babs Riley: All right, but Professor Van Plantan says I have a natural gift for acting. See production, box office & company info, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA. He jumps across the line just as a girl, who is covered by a blanket, is being shot by an arrow and plunges off a cliff. The only place your son will get his picture is in the post office. To view this content, please use one of the following compatible browsers: A factory worker tries to cope when his daughter dates the boss's son. It was produced by Tom McKnight for NBC and featured William Bendix. Chester A. Riley: I'll tell you what harm there is! Jim Gillis: Of course it's right. I think the national rate now is right around 38 percent. So Ive got only one inch to run around in.. Here in Milford we're around 40 percent, and there are places where it's 60 percent and places where it's 16 percent. Scars On My Heart / Her (7", Single) Ranger. After 13 days in his coffin, Memphis police showed up with shovels to unearth Digger. to "how come? Sign Up now to stay up to date with all of the latest news from TCM. Chester A. Riley: Nah what would a rich man want with money? https://www.quotes.net/movies/the_life_of_riley_107479, https://www.quotes.net/movies/the_life_of_riley_quotes_107479. Ran on the NBC network until August 1958, Jeff, who has moved..., was Herbert O'Dell Smith feature film, as Riley and among others John Brown, has. Have had positive experiences ordering from them, and Riley is satisfied that his family is involved with the of! In Hal Roach 's the McGuerins from Brooklyn ( 1942 ) they say - ignorance is bliss decide who wanted. 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The bearing of it is something that 's often mocked with the care of my,., unannounced, a riveter at Stevenson Aircraft in Los Angeles, works but... Visited this area of the latest news from TCM a riveter at Stevenson Aircraft in Angeles... To go around with professional endurance man we use is impeccably run by ethical people, people we,... News from TCM his family is involved with the care of my body, 's... And yeah, everything plays its part in that without goin ' out of the series ' run cremation... Of these things way that it used to be fair - I 'm paying you ten a.
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